By Admin 
India Energy Storage: India’s truth on energy has come to the fore due to the war between Iran and Israel. India imports about 90 percent of its crude oil, 60 percent LPG and 50 percent LNG from other countries. This much dependence on imports can put India in trouble due to sudden interruption in the supply chain. As has happened now due to the sanctions imposed by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz. However, it is equally true that India has gained strength in the energy sector with time.
Be it underground storage or diversifying oil imports, India is gradually becoming stronger in energy security. In this situation of crisis, apart from the strategic oil reserve, the stock of petrol and diesel can last for another 25 days. Cooking gas or LPG available in India can last for about 25-30 days, while LNG, which is mainly used for industrial use, is available for about 10 days. This strength of India on the energy sector has pressed the panic button and at the same time, lockdown like situation is being seen in countries like Pakistan.
Many benefits of underground storage
There are many underground gas storages in India. The oldest cave among these is Visakhapatnam. It was built by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited about 10 years ago. A total of 5.33 million metric tons of crude oil (40 million barrels) can be stored in these caves, which is enough for about 10 days of the country’s needs.
Such underground facilities are good because they are safe from external attacks or drone attacks and natural disasters. Apart from this, they cost less to run and due to being underground, there is less risk of fire or oil spill in these caves. The government has not yet used these reserves. These provide a strategic buffer when needed, giving the government time to arrange for other imports.
Oldest storage in Visakhapatnam
The full name of this underground storage is South Asia LPG Company Private Limited. This underground storage is built here near Dolphin Hills, which is a 50:50 joint venture between HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited) and French giant TotalEnergies. It is being used since 2007. Its gas storage capacity is 60000 metric tons. A large part of HPCL and TotalEnergies’ LPG is stored in this cave. Apart from this, companies like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum also use the storage capacity here when needed.
Underground cave built in Mangalore
The capacity of this storage built for HPCL is 80000 metric tons, which can meet the needs of crores of houses for a month. It has been made by Megha Engineering. It is fully operational from September 2025. After importing from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, America, Russia, Iraq, Qatar, Nigeria, HPCL stores LPG in this cave and sends it through pipeline to many cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mysore.
This is the matter of LPG storage. Apart from this, India also has three big caves to store crude oil. One of these is in Visakhapatnam, the second in Mangalore and the third in Padur.
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